Eva Mendes has blasted Salma Hayek for using the name she had chosen for her future daughter, Valentina Paloma, for her own child

'The Women' actress - who is close friends with Salma - was stunned when she discovered the 42-year-old actress had called her daughter Valentina Paloma, who she welcomed into the world in September 2007.

Eva said: "Salma took my baby name. Valentina Paloma. I was like, 'Salma, you took my baby name!' And she's all, 'What are your other ones so that I don't take them.' "

However, Eva - who is in a long-term relationship with producer George Augusto - insists despite the baby name argument, she still has immense respect for the Mexican actress.

She added to Latina magazine: "I think if there's anybody in this field that I look up to it's her. She has really done it the right way and I respect her completely. I just saw her speak, and she's the most inspirational speaker. You never want her to leave the stage."